As a prelude to next April's 250th anniversary of London's British Museum, its top ten treasures -judged by a panel of experts - are revealed in this Meet the Ancestors special.
The exhibits include the Mold gold cape, the Snettisham treasure, the Mildenhall treasure, the Sutton Hoo burial ship, the Lewis chessmen and the Fishpool hoard.
Viewers have a chance to vote online for their favourite at www.bbc.co.uk/history. Presented by Adam Hart-Davis .
Producer Patricia Wheatley : Series producer Ian Potts BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE: price L3.25. New issue on sale 17 December